Sunday, October 07, 2007

Yes, this blog is ONE. Bong Mom has now been officially around for a Year with her Cook Book and the 3 year old (not the blog, the daughter) now turning almost 4.It has been an eventful year if you consider all the events I have sent my posts to.

The journey has been memorable and so Thank You.

All joyous occasions in India is celebrated with something sweet and so here is “Bhapa Sandesh” or Steamed Sandesh for all of you on the Blog turning One.Kuch Meetha to Hona Hi tha...

“My Mommy’s blog is One in spite of my “Know all” Dad’s predictions that it would die a sure death in 3 months time like my Mommmy’s numerous other hobbies. My Mommy Did it, she Did it, she Did it, yeehhhhhhh. And this is my art work for her.

I love how she keeps typing and editing pictures on the computer and keeps telling me it is office work. I feel so happy that she is sometimes so busy with her blog, she even forgets to serve me dinner and my “Know all” Dad lets me have Chicken Nuggets, how fun is that.

Thank You Mommy and I am telling you I am not going to cook all that stuff up there in your blog, so don’t con yourself that you are doing this for me. But if it makes you happy and you want to prove my “Know All” Dad wrong again…go ahead…have fun for one more year”

The Bhapa Sandesh recipe is a trial and error recipe. I tried it the very first time in my life with all new fangled stuff like Ricotta (not traditional Paneer) and then the Oven(not the Pressure Cooker) and what not. The result was very delicious. The procedure I followed made it very easy too. I frame worked my recipe on these two -- here and here

I added Mango Pulp to add Mango flavor to the Sandesh however the amount I added did not do anything except to introduce a faint flavor. I would suggest using Mango essence or Rose essence instead. Also layering the sandesh with fresh Mangoes or more of the Mango Pulp might have helped. Next time maybe.

If you do not want to use the oven you can also do it in the Pressure Cooker as mentioned here

Bhapa Sandesh

What you Need

The recipe I was following said Ricotta, Condensed Milk and Milk Powder in 4:1:1 ratio. However since I had added Mango Pulp I had to increase the amount of C. Milk and Milk Powder a little

Mango Pulp ~ I used about 1/3 cup. However this did not add much of a mango flavor to the sandesh

Golden raisins ~ to decorateHow I did It

Mix Ricotta, C. Milk and Milk Powder in a bowl to a smooth consistency. I added Mango Pulp to it too. Instead you can add some essence like Rose, Mango etc.

Next I Greased an oven proof bowl with about 1/4th tsp of ghee and poured the mixture in it. While pouring the mixture I topped the first layer with little mango pulp and then covered it with second layer of the Mix. If you have fresh ripe mangoes, cut it in thin layers and use for layering. Cover the bowl with an aluminum foil, cover else it will get dry.

Pre-heat Oven to 400F

In the bottom rack of the oven I kept a oven proof dish filled with almost 2 -3 cups of water

In the top tray put in the bowl with Mix and let it cook for 40-45 minutes.

At the end of 40 minutes take it out to check if it has set. Run a knife to chcek. It might take a little more time, I usually switch off the oven and let it sit in the oven for 10 more minutes.. If yes, put it to cool in the fridge.

Cut out in squares when it has cooled and garnish with raisins. Serve chilled

* The sandesh in the pic is served on a plate made of Sal leaves which my Baba sent from Kolkata for the blog. This is the the kind of plates that is used or was used in bengali wedding etc. along with earthen glasses. They have an aroma that reminds you of the trees in the forest after a fresh rain. The fact that they are bio-degradable helps.

85 comments:

Yeah, now that I put my mark there, let me type what I wanted to say... Little S looks sooo cute, it is so great to finally see her face, beautiful eyes shes's got... :) ... Wish you many many more years of blogging ahead... :)The sandesh looks so yummy btw

Hey Sandeepa Happy Anniversary to you & your wonderful blog.Just enjoyed the letter from S to you specially :“Know all” Dad’s predictions that it would die a sure death in 3 months time like my Mommmy’s numerous other hobbies.Hahaha. Love your blog and recipes. loved the Bhapa sandesh recipe. Love your photos too! Hope you prove the "know all" dad wrong and blog on for many many years so that S never has to search for a recipe anywhere else!Congrats on completing one year of wonderful blogging!Oh yes and S is too cute!

Happy Blog-birthday! Your blog is a joy to visit, with your keen sense of humor and spot-on remarks. Wishing you many many more years of good fun, friends and food! The sandesh looks delicious, I have bookmarked it for my Diwali sweets line-up.

Firstly, congrats on your first blogversary ( a little belated though,kharab pabe na)...I hope you have fun for many more years to come; secondly, I'm sooo glad we both share an anniversary on the same day...your blog and my wedding :);thirdly, the sandesh looks lovely and so does little S...I have no doubt there is a very pretty face behind that mask.

Little S has beautiful eyes...i love the way you wrote what little S really wanted to say ;)..u truely are a mind reader...thanks for this recipe..looks yumm..and btw more power to us who finally get to rise above our inconsistencies (ah! the love of food :)

hey sandu! wish your blog a very happy b'day. the write up of your daughter was too good and funny! she looks cute:) The sandesh looks yum. can i get some parceled?? wish you many many more years of blogging dear. you have always been a lovely fellow blogger and friend:))

My fav Bong blog turned one, congrats and hugs :) Great food & recipe with a sneak peak into bong family traditions and culture, a 3 year old's cute stories, nostalgia, and humour, thats all I feel when I come here.....You re good at this and pls do continue.

So nice to see Lil S...a big jump from those shadow images and hands and legs :P

Now some doubts...Is Bhapa Sandesh, same as Sandesh? is it just a short name? Also I am not getting a clear pic of that plate made of Sal leaves, want to have a better look, so hope you will shoot with this plate once more , with a different dish:)

ShnP.S For the present,I have a month old cake in my blog, shall we cut that virtually? :)

Sandeepa, happy blog anniversary. Finally we get to see little S, she is a cutie and as thoughtful as you are! Cheers to many wonderful posts, recipes and adventures ahead :) Bhapa sandesh ta banate hobe...

Happy blog borthday and Congratulations to you Sandeepa! Now that you have proved "know-all" Dad wrong, hopefully your motivation to keep blogging will continue1. Sandesh loooks lovely, will try it out for Bijoya this year. Looking forward to Pujo - just round the corner and some Pujo-centric posts from you! More later..

MadhuliHa ha...yeah don't know what I will do for next year but yes this is one hobby that has seen the longest run

KaykatThanks

SraBlush, blush...Sra you are just too much. If I am low I should just ask you to come and comment:D You perk me up like no one.And I had coaxed my dad to send me these with my in-laws.He used to read my blog but nowdays with their dial up BSNL connection at home being slow he says the Blog does not load properly

JyothsnaA good question. As I had said this was my first try, so I played safe. "Bhapa" means Steamed so ideally it should not be baked.To retain the moisture I put the bowl of water in the oven. But it might have worked without too, not sure.

MeetaWith your skills this could be done with a flick of your left hand. You see I tried an easy method with Ricotta etc.

MusicalThanks sweetie. Hugs to you too

VijiThanks :)

SupsI look forward to your presence too and Hugs to you

NupurAwww thanks for those kind words. You actually have sweets queued up for Diwal...

AshaThanks. No S is not 4 yet. Ha ha I better not have that word and have weird hits ;-)

IndoThanks dear friend, I am in good company here with people like you around:)

SunitaOh no not belated, I posted only late last night. I am honored to share my Blog B'day with your anniv :)BTW just re-read that you got married on dashami day, that must have been something

RajithaYeah the love of food, so true.

SharmiYou make great sandesh too. Thanks and it is really lovely to have you around :)

PadmaYou go to Durga Puja too and also use sal leaves ? I always though you are from the Southern states, aren't you ?Thanks again

LakshmiThis is a easier version of the sandesh, but definitely tasty

ShnBlush, blush :D That pic was especially for you. Bhapa Sandesh is steamed and so different from the Usual Sandesh done on Stove top. The taste varies a bit tooAlso I used Ricotta instead of fresh Paneer, that did bring a taste diff too. But everyone at home loved it.Check Sharmi's Neivedyam for a stove top Sandesh. Also one of the links I have here (the HareKrsna one , has lots of sandesh recipes)

With your delicious cakes, I would rather have them physically than virtually :D

Ohh she is so sweet and cute...Congratulations on the anniversary. I absolutely love your blog. All I knew abt Bong cooking before visiting this blog was "pathrano machi". Thanks for this wonderful blog. All the very best for future.

Hi Sandeepa,Happy 1st birthday!!! I really love your blog and eagerly wait for each new entry. While I do not write comments often, I make sure that I do not miss any of your recipes. I have refered your blog to many of my friends and they love it too :-) Also loved the "sal-patar" plate...onek din por dekhte pelam....brings back old memories.

btw, why did you put the water in the bottom rack of the oven for the Bhapa Sandesh?

happy blog Anniversary sandeepa! its a pleasure to visit your blog everytime esp i shd say you have a very unique way of presentation which i love to read and keep pulling to your blog :) little S looks so cute its a marvellous idea to show her at such an ocassion to all of us! many more years of blogging to come !

This is Apurba,a Bong away from home..I do sneak into your blog every now & then ..but i'm too lazy to post a comment.. I like your blog so much especially because of the lucid & humourous style u use.I feel the unique scent of Bengal whenever I visit your blog.So even if i'm not searching for a recipe..i end up reading your blog.Congratulations on your 1st Blogging Anniversery..Pls do keep it up as it has finally provoked me to write so much..Little S is so cute..& the Bhapa Sandesh looks yummy..

I am so late to this momentous occassion - but Happy One year, blog!!! and little S - you are a heck of a gal - we love hearing tidbits about you...thanks for being so supportive of mommy's "office work"! wish you many more happy blogging years, Sandeepa.

Hi sandeepa,:)) I know you as asha's friend and a part of Desi Moms Club!:)) Never visited your blog! You see I am new to computers. Thanks for all the nice words in my blog! Loved your daughters write up!:)) Some how all hubby's under estimate their wives!:)) Your sandesh recipe is great and the pictures are very tempting! Congrats on completing one year of blogging!:)) Wish you many more years of sucessful blogging!:))

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! ........ that was for the mom part. :) And one more Awesome for the cookbook ;) Don't you ever stop writing about your daughter! I think I come here more for S than for you :P Everyone is congratulating you so I am cheering for her!! :)

Happy 1st Birthday Sandeepa! You are an inspiration to all, especially moms like me with all your enthusiam, hard work and talent. Love the sandesh, i have all the ingredients.. have it to try it soon.

I'm back - and the sandesh has turned out great! We tried a sample and it was really good - this is the first time I successfully made a milk-sweet! :-D I have a small convection oven, which took longer, but the knife-test method made it clear when it was done. Cheers! RM

I had tried to make bhapa sandesh following the steps. But at the end of 45 mins, when I too out the bowl from the oven,I found the mxture to have completely melted like water.I don't understand where I could have gone wrong!

Prothomei kaajer kotha, I am planning to make your bhapa sandesh for a party. Can you please tell me how many sweets will I get from your mentioned quantities?

Now, your blog is the first Bengali recipe blog that I came across while looking for some recipes on the internet. And after a couple of weeks of frantic blog hopping, I must say, yours is still the best, or second best may be :)......

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About Me

Predominantly a Bong, who loves being a Mom and loves to cook among other things for the li'l one and the big ones.She loves to write too and you will find her food spiced up with stories. Mainly a collection of Bengali Recipes with other kinds thrown in, in good measure. A Snapshot of Bengali Cuisine